Shutdown To Affect Michigan National Guard Members

LANSING (WWJ/AP) – The partial government shutdown could affect thousands of Michigan National Guard members.

Selfridge Air National Guard Base says about 650 civilian workers and 32 military technicians were sent home on furlough Tuesday after conducting an orderly shutdown of operations at the base in Macomb County’s Harrison Township.

About 150 active duty members of the 127th Wing remain on duty — many of them overseas.

WWJ’s Mike Campbell reports that Coast Guard and Search and Rescue operations out of Selfridge will also continue. Air traffic control, security and fire personnel will remain on duty.

The commissary at the base will be closed beginning Wednesday.

Maj. Gen. Gregory Vadnais, director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and adjutant general of the Michigan National Guard, said in a statement a suspension of operations is expected that could affect about 900 guard members.

Vadnais said training and other duties could be cancelled, affecting thousands of other Guard members.

On Monday, Vadnais said the Michigan National Guard plans to continue to support key military operations regardless of a government shutdown.